Abstract

Shallow subterranean habitats are among the last habitats in Central Europe to be arachnologically researched. Using stratified pipe traps, we studied the vertical distribution of spiders in soil and interspaces in bedrock (shallow subterranean habitats). Specifically, we sampled fauna in different substrates, including limestone, sandy marlstone, sandy marl, claystone, loess, and artificial gravel accumulation. Employing stratified pipe traps allowed us to identify the depth at which particular species occurred. Across multiple years and sampling sites, we collected 76 spider species, 21 of which showed an affinity for subterranean microhabitats. Some of these species occurred in interspaces in soil and bedrock, whereas others have been previously found in subterranean ant nests and animal burrows. We collected five species (Iberina microphthalma, Centromerus cf. piccolo,Porrhomma cambridgei,P. microcavense, andP. microps) almost exclusively at depths over half a meter, suggesting the strong affinity of these species for a subterranean lifestyle. We provide diagrams of these species’ vertical distribution and photo-document eye reduction. Our study demonstrates that poorly studied shallow subterranean habitats harbor diverse subterranean spider fauna, including several previously considered rare species in Central Europe.

Addeddate

2025-03-16 13:19:36

Bhl_virtual_titleid

211047

Bhl_virtual_volume

v.45 (2023)

Call number

10_3897_subtbiol_45_95850

Call-number

10_3897_subtbiol_45_95850

Foldoutcount

0

Genre

article

Identifier

verticaldistrib45reza

Identifier-ark

ark:/13960/s2dt7w47j7t

Identifier-bib

10_3897_subtbiol_45_95850

Identifier-doi

10.3897/subtbiol.45.95850

Ocr

tesseract 5.3.0-6-g76ae

Ocr_detected_lang

en

Ocr_detected_lang_conf

1.0000

Ocr_detected_script

Latin

Ocr_detected_script_conf

1.0000

Ocr_module_version

0.0.21

Ocr_parameters

-l eng

Page_number_confidence

79

Page_number_module_version

1.0.5

Page_range

1-16

Pages

16

Pdf_degraded

invalid-jp2-headers

Pdf_module_version

0.0.25

Possible copyright status

In copyright. Digitized with the permission of the rights holder.

Ppi

300

Source

Subterranean Biology 45

Year

2023

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